Munthirivallikal Thalirkkumbol Malayalam Movie
The grape vines that Jibu Jacob watchfully nurtures in his second film 'Munthirivallikal Thalirkkumbol' soon sprout animatedly, and eventually bear blossoms. A remarkably agreeable film that keeps you entertained, 'Munthirivallikal Thalirkkumbol' is a marvel of a movie that tells a pleasingly uplifting tale.
Ulahannan (Mohanlal) is a Panchayat Secretary who believes that the romance in his life has vanished without a trace, what with his wife Aaniyamma (Meena) having evolved into a miserable home maker with a penchant for nothing but the daily soaps on television. A meeting with his yesteryear sweetheart Indulekha (Asha Sharath) at an alumni meeting refurbishes the joy that had long lain smothered, and Ulahannan makes one final attempt to see if he can be the hardcore romantic that he once had been.
The taking that it offers on contemporary life can be viewed sceptically, and an array of questions asked. It's interesting to note that the film dwells on the startling re-emergence of a warmth that sadly dissolves away from our lives as days make way for weeks, months and years. At a point when you have long forgotten that something on those lines once existed, someone comes along, making you realize what you have been missing out all this while!
There are the very obvious parallels that might be drawn to 'Anuraga Karikkin Vellam', that beautiful film that we saw last year, that talked of the love lost between a couple that had seen better days in their lives. And then, the film almost seems to go the 'Drishyam' way, when dark clouds of an imminent danger loom large over the family. The chief failing of the film therefore lies in this similarity that it sports throughout, but which it never lets to bog itself down.
The resemblances apart, 'Munthirivallikal Thalirkkumbol' manages to hold ground with a charming unfussiness that was the hallmark of the director's debut film. It comes across as a feel-good triumph that almost seems to suggest that if you choose to look at life determinedly, goodness is bound to emerge.
There is no denying that the film is sweet natured, and perhaps a bit too much at that, but its appeal lies in its capability to let its characters be plainly righteous. There is nothing wrong in being good in these times of turmoil, assures Jibu, and he rightfully spreads a mile long smile across those eager faces in the film hall.
It's pleasantly invigorating to see Mohanlal sporting those grey hairs and looking as amiable as ever; amazingly at ease in a role where you get to see flashes of a young star who had taken Malayalam Cinema by storm a few decades back. The screen chemistry that he shares with Meena seems to be getting better with each film, while the child actors - Sanoop Santhosh and Aima Rosmy Sebastian are a delight to watch. There are also commendable performances from actors as Alencier Lay, Anoop Menon and Srinda Ashab. Pramod K Pillai's frames are deceptively simple and the musical score by Bijibal and M Jayachandran easy on the ears.
The creative execution is what saves the day in 'Munthirivallikal Thalirkkumbol', and the quaint romanticism that it lays out one of a kind. Jibu Jacob might not have come up with a bonafide masterpiece, but 'Munthirivallikal Thalirkkumbol' is indeed an awesome choice to start off your new cinema year!